The British minister responsible for Northern Ireland, Peter Mandelson, has confirmed that the name of the police force in the province is to be changed from the Royal Ulster Constabulary to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

It's part of the wide-ranging reforms recommended in a review of the force carried out as part of the Good Friday peace agreement.

Mr Mandelson is due to give the government's full response to the proposals later today and correspondents say nearly all of them are likely to be accepted. However many Unionists, who want to retain links with Britain, are opposed to the name change saying it will amount to disbandment.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service